In contrast, students studying courses such as medicine, law, veterinary, dentistry and education (teaching) are most likely to complete their first year – with high progression rates ranging from 98 per cent to 95 per cent, reports The Irish Times.

The children of skilled manual workers were least likely to progress – a factor that could be caused by this socio-economic class being on the margins of qualifying for grant aid.

However, the children of professionals were highly likely to progress.

The research was based on 35,000 full-time undergraduate students who entered third-level education between 2007 and 2008.

It found that those who had secured a grant were more likely to progress in third level, with respondents indicating that the reason for this being they had a sense of financial well-being and security.

The average drop-out rate between first year and second year across Ireland’s seven universities, institutes of technology (ITs) and other colleges was 15 per cent.

In specific institutions, the rates varied. The highest drop-out rates were displayed in students on certificate level and ordinary degree courses at ITs; one quarter of those attending classes in first year.

The level fell to 16 per cent among honours degree students attending ITs, and fell again for honours degree students attending university to 9 per cent.

Just 4 per cent of students studying at teacher training colleges dropped out.

The courses with the fewest number drop outs were law at 3 per cent, and medicine at only 2 per cent.

TheJournal.ie is a full participating member of the Press Council of Ireland and supports
the Office of the Press Ombudsman. This scheme in addition to defending the freedom of the
press, offers readers a quick, fair and free method of dealing with complaints that they may
have in relation to articles that appear on our pages. To contact the Office of the
Press Ombudsman Lo-Call 1890 208 080 or go to
www.pressombudsman.ie
or www.presscouncil.ie

Please note that TheJournal.ie uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising. For more information on cookies please refer to our cookies policy.

Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for user created content, posts, comments, submissions or preferences. Users are reminded that they are fully responsible for their own created content and their own posts, comments and submissions and fully and effectively warrant and indemnify Journal Media in relation to such content and their ability to make such content, posts, comments and submissions available. Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for the content of external websites.